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A patient is very short of breath. Which finding should cause the nurse to be concerned that the shortness of breath might be due to heart failure?

A.

An echocardiogram that reflected increased right ventricular wall thickening

B.

A left ventricular ejection fraction (VEF) of 50%

C.

A B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) of 300 pg/mL

D.

A serum sodium of 135

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. An increase in O2 saturation to greater than 90%: An increase in oxygen saturation is typically a positive sign and does not indicate worsening heart failure.

B. The onset of atrial fibrillation: The development of atrial fibrillation in a patient with heart failure is a sign of worsening heart failure, as it indicates increased atrial pressure and the potential for further hemodynamic compromise.

C. Louder S1 and S2 heart sounds: Louder heart sounds do not specifically indicate worsening heart failure. They may vary based on other factors such as body habitus or the position of the patient.

D. A decrease in heart rate to 66 bpm: A heart rate of 66 bpm is within the normal range and does not suggest worsening heart failure.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Respiratory acidosis: Respiratory acidosis would present with a low pH (below 7.35) and a high PaCO2 (above 45 mmHg).

B. Respiratory alkalosis: This ABG shows a high pH (7.51), low PaCO2 (32 mmHg), and normal HCO3- (26 mEq/L), indicating respiratory alkalosis, typically due to hyperventilation.

C. Metabolic acidosis: Metabolic acidosis would present with a low pH and low HCO3-, but in this case, the HCO3- is normal.

D. Metabolic alkalosis: Metabolic alkalosis would show a high pH and high HCO3-, but the HCO3- in this ABG is normal.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Hypertension: This is not a cause of high-output heart failure. Hypertension typically leads to low-output heart failure due to increased afterload, which causes the heart to work harder.

B. Severe anemia: Severe anemia causes high-output heart failure because the body compensates for the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing cardiac output.

C. Sepsis: Sepsis can lead to high-output heart failure as the body attempts to maintain perfusion in the face of widespread vasodilation.

D. Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic demands, which can cause high-output heart failure as the heart attempts to meet the increased needs.

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